- Last Updated: June 13, 2025
Who hasn’t thought of living in Bali as a digital nomad? Many people who work online dream of coming in Bali. It’s a nomad paradise, which has the highest number of digital nomads in Southeast Asia.
Bali is an island province located in Indonesia. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and Bali Sea. It has incredible nature, an affordable cost of living, and a vibrant digital nomad community. Due to the rise of remote work culture, it has been able to attract fellow digital nomads by building excellent work infrastructure.
Now there are tons of coworking spaces and laptop-friendly cafes in Bali. Besides, the Indonesian government, including the Bali administration, has invested heavily in the development of high-speed internet, especially in places like Canggu and Ubud.
But how do you actually live and work in Bali? Is it really worth the hype? In this Bali digital nomad guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to live and work in Bali. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
Bali for Digital Nomads - A Complete Guide (2025 Update)
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Bali for digital nomads varies from person to person. From those who want to live a budget-friendly lifestyle to those looking for a luxurious lifestyle, Bali serves for all. Here, you can live on as little as $600 a month. Then again, if you want to live a luxurious lifestyle, it is not surprising to spend over $4,000 a month.
The currency of Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The exchange rate is 1 USD to 16,520 IDR right now. For ease of calculation, we are presenting the costs in USD.
Now, let’s look at the breakdown of costs you may expect to bear in Bali per month:
➢ Accommodation: $300–$1,500 (Rent for one-bedroom apartment; it varies based on location and facilities)
➢ Food: $100–$900 (this includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner)
➢ Transportation: $60–$150 (monthly public transport fees and ridesharing)
➢ Internet Packs: $30–$80 (includes wifi and sim services)
➢ Healthcare & Insurance: $50-$400
➢ Entertainment & Activities: $100–$500 (covers entrance fees, hanging out, trip costs)
Total Monthly Estimate: For a comfortable lifestyle with reliable Wi-Fi in Bali, budget $640–$3,500 monthly. This covers rent, food, transport, and leisure activities.
Passport & Visa Requirements
For digital nomads, it’s one of the first and foremost requirements to check out the passport and visa policies. How friendly and hassle-free the requirements are plays an important factor in living and working from a country.
Thankfully, Bali is one of those countries that have easy visa policies for digital nomads. Depending on different kinds of tourist visas, the initial stay ranges from 30 days to 1 year, which can also be extended later. Now let’s check out the requirements at a glance:
1. Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of arrival. Besides, it must contain at least two blank pages.
2. Visa on Arrival (VOA): A 30-day visa on arrival is available for about $35. Also, it can be extended once for another 30 days at the same cost. However, you’ll need a sponsor if you want to stay more than 60 days.
3. Remote-Worker KITAS (E33G): 1-year limited stay permit for foreigners employed by non-Indonesian companies. Income is earned offshore (no Indonesian income tax), which is valid for 1 year. However, no local work is allowed, but you can live and travel freely.
4. Income: A stable monthly income of at least $2,000-$3,000.
5. Employment: Must be employed by or working for a company outside Indonesia or self-employed with clients based overseas.
6. Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance covering your entire stay is usually required.
7. No Criminal Records: A clean criminal background check from your home country may be needed.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season is generally considered the best time to visit Bali. This season runs from April to October. In this time, you will experience sunny weather (24-29°C), low humidity, and minimal rainfall. The peak tourism is in July and August. So, expect higher prices and crowds then. To experience good weather and fewer tourists, shoulder months like April/May and Sep/Oct are great options.
Although not that mainstream, people also visit Bali in the rainy season. November to March is considered the rainy season in Bali. While daytime remains hot, afternoons see storms. As there are fewer tourists, flights and accommodations are generally cheaper at this time. However, some hiking and diving trips remain closed due to heavy rainfall. But you can do surfing.
The climate of Bali all year round isn’t that harsh. The average temperature remains within 24 to 29°C. As a digital nomad, whether you stay for a shorter or longer period, Bali’s weather remains mild year-round. So, plan according to your convenience.
Rent
As a digital nomad, you will have plenty of options to live in Bali. There are hostels, co-living spaces, hotels, apartments, and rented villas. If you want to stay for the short term and meet other backpackers, hostels or co-living spaces can be great options.
On average, you can expect to pay around $6 to $11 USD per night for a dorm bed or hostel. Co-living spaces can be rented for $300 to $800 with coworking facilities. Again, a 1BR apartment or studio apartment typically costs around $400-$1,000.
Rent prices vary on size and location. You will find cheaper rental options in Ubud or Denpasar than in Canggu or Seminyak. Also, the price varies on how long you are going to stay. For example, long-term villa rentals often range from $300 to $1,000.
You can find rentals on popular websites like Airbnb or Booking.com for initial stays or monthly deals. Also, you can check out Facebook groups for longer-term contracts. Co-living providers like Outpost and ROMA offer all-inclusive monthly rates.
Best Neighborhoods
➢ Canggu
Canggu is known as the digital nomad hotspot in Bali. So, there is a vibrant expat scene. You’ll find lots of cafes and coworking spaces here. The digital nomad community often organizes networking events.
As English is widely spoken, you won’t face language barriers that much. However, a few issues are frequently observed here, such as high traffic or increased rents. Overall, Canggu is a fantastic place to live in Bali for digital nomads.
• Average Rent: One-bedroom apartments or villas can range from $600 to $800 USD per month. Also, co-living spaces can range from $545 to $980 per month.
• Internet Speed: Generally strong and reliable. The average speed reported is around 20-24 Mbps.
• Coworking Facilities: Tropical Nomad, Dojo Bali
➢ Ubud
Ubud is the cultural center of Bali. It’s quieter, greener, and rental is much cheaper than most other parts of Bali.
This place is surrounded by rice paddies and green forests. However, there is no beach (inland) area. Also, it may feel touristy near the center. Moreover, this place is highly recommended for digital nomads.
• Average Rent: A one-bedroom apartment or villa typically costs around $600 USD per month.
• Internet Speed: An average speed of around 12-20 Mbps. But it can be up to 300 Mbps in coworking spaces and dedicated accommodations using fiber optic connections.
• Coworking Facilities: Outpost Ubud, Beluna, Ubud.Space, Hubud Coworking
➢ Denpasar
Denpasar is the capital city of Bali. It is basically the administrative and economic center of Bali. So, it has more of a city vibe than that rural vibe of other places.
The city is also quite affordable and less touristy. There are good healthcare facilities. Sanur is the beach area of this region. However, you will feel a lack of the Bali vibe of Canggu or Ubud. Also, there is a limited digital nomad community and fewer coworking cafes.
• Average Rent: Approximately $700 per month for a one-bedroom apartment
• Internet Speed: The average internet speed is reported to be around 9 Mbps.
• Coworking Facilities: Kumpul Coworking, Livit Hub Bali, Rumah Sanur Creative Hub
➢ Seminyak
Seminyak is one of the best neighborhoods in Bali for digital nomads. It is basically a beach resort area. So, the lifestyle is more modern and lavish. There are lots of shopping areas, cafes, and an amazing nightlife.
However, Seminyak is quite touristy and congested. Sometimes, load shedding occurs that affects internet flow.
• Average Rent: Similar to Canggu, a one-bedroom apartment or villa in Seminyak costs around $600 to $700 USD per month.
• Internet Speed: The average internet speed is reported to be around 25 Mbps.
• Coworking Facilities: Biliq Seminyak, Regus, HQ Seminyak
Transportation
Getting around Bali isn’t that hard due to the variety of transportation. But, among all of them, a motorbike or scooter is the most common way to get around Bali. It’s more convenient as it saves more time and money. For example, it costs around $3 USD to rent a scooter for a day.
Apart from scooters, there are metered Blue Bird taxis and Grab cars. They are often costlier, but if you are traveling in a group or as a family, taking car rides will be feasible. Also, you can hire a private driver for day trips for $40 to $60 USD.
There are also popular ride-sharing apps to navigate through Bali. Gojek and Grab are the most popular ones. They operate island-wide for bikers and cars. Short scooter or car rides often start at $1 to $3 USD.
Food
The Balinese cuisine is rich in spices and herbs. The staple of Balinese food is rice. There are lots of foods where rice is the primary ingredient, such as Nasi Goreng, Nasi Campur, and Bubur Ayam. Other traditional Balinese dishes include Babi Guling, Lawar, Sate Lalit, etc.
➢ Nasi Goreng
Staple food of Balinese cuisine. This popular fried rice comes with sweet soy sauce, egg, chicken, and vegetables. Additionally, it is served with cucumber and tomato slices.
The cost of Nasi Goreng is $1-$5 USD.
➢ Mie goreng (Fried noodles)
Similar to Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng is just the fried noodle version. This food is served with yellow egg stir-fried with Kecap Manis (sweet soy sauce), vegetables, chicken, beef, or shrimp. I found the taste is a lot like Chinese chow mein.
The cost of Mie Goreng is $1-$5 USD.
➢ Satay
Satay is a popular Javanese dish. It is made from chicken, fish, minced pork, or even turtle meat. Here, the meat is marinated in spices and later grilled over charcoal. So, there’s a smoky flavor.
The dish is served with a spicy peanut sauce. The price of Satay is $1 to $5 USD for a portion, including around 6-10 skewers.
➢ Street Food (Bakso, Lumpia)
Bali has a vibrant scene for street food. It includes dishes like Bakso, Lumpia, pancakes, etc. They are cheap yet tasty.
Bakso is basically meatball soup made from chicken or beef. It comes with tofu, boiled eggs, or sometimes fried wontons. The cost is $1 to $3 USD per bowl.
On the other hand, Lumpia is a popular snack in Bali, which is basically spring rolls. Although it originates from Chinese cuisine, the taste has lots of variants. These thin pastry rolls are filled with vegetables, meat, or shrimp. Sometimes, this is served as fried. The cost is $0.5 to $2 USD per piece.
Breakfast in cafes costs around $3 to $10 USD, whereas a full-course meal in mid-range restaurants is like $10 to $25 USD.
Another thing to keep in mind is to AVOID tap water at all. Drink bottled water, as diseases like Bali Belly (traveler’s diarrhea) can happen from having unfamiliar food or water.
Internet Speed
The internet speed in Bali is generally moderate. The average broadband speed here is around 30 Mbps down and 18 Mbps up. In central areas and coworking spaces, fiber connections can go up to 100 Mbps. However, Canggu is usually considered the region with the best Wi-Fi in Bali.
On the other hand, 4G and 5G coverage is widespread in Bali. Popular providers like Telkomsel and XL/Indosat are the fastest ones. The average speeds of these mobile operators are around 20 to 30 Mbps in city areas. You can purchase a prepaid SIM like Telkomsel with 30 GB of data that costs around $12 USD.
Coworking spaces offer the fastest Wi-Fi speed. Of course, they are designed in this way to provide their customer with better internet service. Also, many cafes offer free Wi-Fi. If you need to ensure high internet speed, consider investing in a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces are one of the best ways to work in a more focused manner. Digital nomads tend to work in coworking spaces for a better work environment, better Wi-Fi speed, and increased productivity.
As Bali has become a digital nomad hotspot, no wonder why it has seen an increased number of coworking spaces. Here are some of the best coworking spaces in Bali:
➢ Hubud (Ubud):
Hubud is considered one of Bali’s pioneering coworking spaces, founded in 2013. Due to their service, they have gained popularity quickly among digital nomads. Their day pass costs like $16 USD, and an unlimited monthly pass costs like $205 USD.
The remote work community is pretty strong there. So, this can get crowded at times.
➢ Tropical Nomad (Canggu):
From the name you can get the idea of what kind of setting you can expect in this coworking space. Yes, it has a tropical ambience, including amenities like high-speed internet, 24/7 member access, meeting rooms, private offices, and a cafe.
This coworking space is also quite affordable. It offers both day and night passes. Their day pass is around $14 USD, while a monthly unlimited pass costs $180 USD. As it is located at the center of Canggu, it is easily accessible for people.
➢ BWork (Canggu & Ubud):
BWork has branches in both Canggu and Ubud. The unique thing about this coworking space is that it includes yoga classes and has a pool. The unlimited one-month pass costs like $215 USD.
It is also popular for organizing regular networking events, workshops, and social gatherings. One of them is Hackagu, which is organized for web developers.
➢ Biliq (Seminyak):
Biliq is a renowned coworking space in Seminyak. Unlike other coworking spaces, Biliq has come up with a unique and flexible “per-minute” billing system. It works great for people who need a short amount of time for work.
Biliq has all of the basic and modern amenities an ideal coworking space should have. But apart from that, they offer a Zen room for naps! Also, they have coliving options. As this space is in a touristy location, it can be expensive with addons.
May also check out: 11 Surprising Benefits of Coworking Spaces You Didn’t Know!
Coffee Shops (Laptop-friendly)
If you want to work in more of a casual setting like cafes, Bali has got you. There are so many good laptop-friendly coffee shops, thanks to the boom of digital nomadism in Bali. They have good internet speed, more social interactions, and chill vibes.
Here are some of the best laptop-friendly coffee shops in Bali:
➢ ZIN Cafe, Canggu: ZIN Cafe is famous for being a laptop-friendly coffee shop. It’s not just a cafe but rather a mix of both a cafe and a coworking space. This cafe is popular for being one of Bali’s “free coworking spaces.” It has high-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of power outlets, and multiple seating options. They even have a quieter work zone, which is great for remote workers to work without noise.
The food is amazing too. I had one of their dishes called “Tuna Poke Bowl,” and it was delicious. However, they open late, like until 9 PM on weekdays.
➢ Seniman Coffee, Ubud: Seniman Coffee is my personal favorite on the list. It is not only a great cafe for remote workers, but also they have delicious coffee. The coffee is roasted on-site. I had the latte, and I would say the taste is 4 out of 5.
Apart from coffee, they have super-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of seating options, and multiple power sockets. Highly recommended!
➢ Revolver Espresso, Seminyak: Revolver Espresso is famous for its interior and high-quality coffee. This is one of the best laptop-friendly cafes where digital nomads can work with ease. The reason is they have reliable Wi-Fi, good ambience, and ample power outlets.
If you are in Seminyak and looking for the best coffee shop to work from, Revolver Espresso is definitely recommended.
➢ Miel Cafe, Canggu: Another laptop-friendly cafe on our list in Canggu. It is located in the heart of Canggu on Batu Balong beach. This spacious cafe has incredible interior design with wood and stone finishes. The coffee is excellent.
Miel has fast Wi-Fi speeds, a low noise level, and large seating options. They stay open from 7 AM to 10 PM every day.
How Safe is Bali for Digital Nomads?
Bali for digital nomads is generally considered safe. According to Numbeo, the safety index is 50.29, which is on the moderate side. As it remains touristy most of the time, pickpocketing can occur. But this happens mostly in tourist spots like markets and beaches.
1. Overall Safety: 50.30 (Moderate)
2. Level of crime: 49.70 (Moderate)
3. Safety during the day: 61.06 ( High)
4. Safety at night: 47.07 (Moderate)
Another thing about Bali is the roads here remain busy and chaotic. Also, if you are traveling solo, you will depend on scooters to get around. So, wearing a helmet is a must.
Health insurance is highly recommended while visiting any country. It covers medical emergencies, evacuation, or repatriation. Travel insurance generally costs $25-$70 USD for two weeks and $50-$150 USD for one month for basic medical coverage.
Attractions
Bali is an incredible place to visit. No wonder why it has become a tourist hub. There are just so many attractions that it seems there is always something to explore. That being said, there are so many great things to do in Bali.
Here are some places you should definitely visit during your time in Bali:
Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple is arguably the most beautiful temple in Bali. It is located about 12 miles from Denpasar and is easily accessible. If you take a scooter ride, you’ll need roughly 30 minutes to reach here from Canggu. The entrance fee is $4 USD.
Built in the 15th and 16th centuries, this Hindu temple is a cliffside temple. From here you can get the panoramic Indian Ocean views and enjoy the beautiful sunset. This temple is surrounded by markets and gardens. It looks like it’s floating on water and gives a floating illusion. Tanah Lot Temple is also the most visited temple in Bali.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, also known as the “Ubud Monkey Forest,” is one of the top attractions of Bali. It is a nature reserve and temple complex home. Here, you will see monkeys are roaming freely and living in gangs. This is a wildlife park with lots of trees and greenery.
You may have seen photos of people taking pictures with monkeys over their head or shoulder. This is exactly the place. Also, there are 3 temples surrounded by the forest. They play an important role in the spiritual life of the local community and hold a special place in Balinese culture.
However, to enter the monkey forest, there is an entrance fee of $6 USD that you need to pay.
Waterbom Bali
Located in Kuta, Waterbom Bali is a popular waterpark in Indonesia. It is often considered Asia’s best waterpark. If you want to try something else besides visiting temples and hiking mountains, visit this waterpark where there are a large number of water activities.
There are water slides, pools, swim-up bars, and multiple rides. Last time, I went there with my friends and totally loved their “The Python” water slide. There is also a cashless payment system, which is convenient for many travelers.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Bali is known for its greenery. Tegalalang Rice Terraces is a rice field in Bali with the most stunning views, both from aerial and on-field perspectives. It is, in fact, one of the most visited places in Ubud.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces are famous for their traditional “Subak” irrigation system. This is a sustainable farming practice running for centuries. These terraces are interconnected by a network of irrigation channels named “Subak.” This is created to increase water usage and nutrient distribution. For this, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
In the dry season, the fields take on a golden hue after the rice ripens. At this time, the terraces wear a new look that is completely picturesque. Totally worth visiting!
Check this out: Philippines Digital Nomad Visa 2025: Here’s What to Know
Is Bali a Good Place for Digital Nomads?
In short, of course! Bali has gained immense popularity among digital nomads. It is now widely considered the digital nomad hotspot in Southeast Asia with the biggest digital nomad community. That makes it easy to connect with other like-minded nomads. Also, a growing number of coworking spaces and laptop-friendly cafes ensure digital nomads get reliable Wi-Fi speed.
Besides that, the cost of living is pretty affordable without compromising the living standard. Being a travel destination, you will find locals are very friendly, and English is widely spoken too.
However, there are certain things that need to be worked on. For example, traffic and visa regulations are a few areas that need more attention and work. But overall, keeping all the pros and cons in mind, I can conclude that Bali for digital nomads is, hands down, one of the best destinations.
Thank you for sticking with us! We’d greatly appreciate it if you could share this article with your friends and family. Don’t forget to comment below with your thoughts on Bali for digital nomads. Are you planning to visit here soon or have already spent days here? We’re eager to know!
Check this out also: Living in Lisbon as a digital nomad
FAQs
There isn’t a dedicated “digital nomad visa” yet, but nomads use tourist/business visas. Options include Visa on Arrival (30 days, extendable to 60), B211A visit visa (60 days, extendable twice, up to 180), and Remote-Worker KITAS (E33G0). KTAS permits remote workers to work online for one year. Also, there is this new Second Home Visa (5–10 years with ~$120K bank deposit).
Generally, yes. Average download speeds in Bali are around 30 Mbps , which is sufficient for video calls and uploads. Most coworking spaces and modern apartments have fast fiber connections. Mobile 4G/5G is also strong in cities.
Digital nomads in Bali have a wide variety of places to stay, including hostels, co-living communities, hotels, private apartments, and villas for rent. If you’re planning a shorter visit and want to connect with fellow travelers, co-living spaces or hostels are ideal for building a social network and enjoying a shared living experience.
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